Viral Video Sparks Outrage: Vlogger Attacked After Reporting Railway Overcharging
A travel vlogger’s attempt to highlight overcharging on an Indian Railways train took a violent turn when he was allegedly attacked by pantry staff on board. The incident occurred on the Hemkunt Express (Train No. 14609) as the vlogger was travelling in the third AC compartment.
The vlogger posted a now-viral video on X (formerly Twitter), where he detailed how pantry employees reacted after he confronted them about inflated prices. In the clip, he stated that after flagging the issue, he was threatened and later physically assaulted.
Overcharging Exposed in Viral Video
In the video, the vlogger is seen questioning a pantry staff member for charging ₹20 for a water bottle with an MRP of ₹15 and ₹20 for a cup of coffee that should cost ₹10 as per railway pricing standards. He displayed the water bottle labeled “Wavy Wonder Aqua” and insisted it be sold at the printed MRP, but the staff member responded, “Yehi mila” (This is all we have). He also pointed out other items being sold at inflated rates, including a packet of instant noodles priced at ₹50 instead of the usual ₹40.
Complaint Filed Through Railways App
The vlogger registered a complaint using the official Railways app. The response from the authorities, which he shared in the video, acknowledged that the pantry vendor was selling a local water brand at inflated rates. The complaint was forwarded to concerned officials for further action. Alleged Assault by Pantry Staff
Later in the video, the situation escalates. While the vlogger lies on his upper berth with the lights off, a pantry staff member wakes him, claiming that someone from the control room wants to meet him. After a few phone calls, the lights are switched on, and three pantry employees appear. What follows is alarming: one of them begins tugging at the vlogger’s leg while the others call him out. Despite passengers warning them not to cause a scene—citing a sleeping infant nearby—the pantry workers ignore the pleas and allegedly attack the vlogger on his seat.
Social Media Outcry and Railways Response
The video has since amassed over 3.6 million views, sparking widespread outrage. As criticism mounted, Indian Railways’ official support handle, Railway Seva, responded to the incident. The vlogger later shared disturbing images showing torn clothes and blood on his hands. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, Indian Railways responded by issuing a penalty of ₹5 lakh against the caterer responsible and confirmed that an FIR has been registered in connection with the attack.